Healthcare: On the Agenda - Stroke stem cell trial declared safe

The world's first clinical trial to inject stem cells into the brains of
stroke victims has been deemed safe, with the first three patients
trialling a low dosage at Glasgow's Southern General Hospital. ReNeuron,
a leading clinical-stage stem cell developer, conducted laboratory
tests, neurological examinations and neurofunctional tests to ensure the
treatment was safe and could be tolerated by patients.

Why is it important?

Stroke accounts for about 53,000 deaths each year and is the third most
common cause of death in England and Wales after heart disease and
cancer. The treatment helps to repair areas of damaged brain tissue,
improving mental and physical function. During the next year, nine more
patients will receive progressively higher dosages as recommended by the
independent Data Safety Monitoring Board, with larger trials rolling out
in 18 months' time.

PR strategy

The media outreach was handled by Buchanan Communications, on behalf of
ReNeuron, and the University of Glasgow's in-house PR team. An embargoed
press release was sent to BBC News science correspondent Pallab Ghosh on
31 August.

Media coverage

The story featured in print, broadcast and online press on 1 September
and on subsequent days. Coverage highlights included The Scotsman (p22),
the Daily Mirror (p24) and BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which
interviewed ReNeuron's CEO Michael Hunt, with a follow-up phone call
with Professor Keith Muir from the university.

150k: The number of people estimated to have a stroke in the UK each
year